Health Info, In the News

COVID-19 UPDATE FROM DR. JONES – 11/19/20

Dear Patient:

I hope this finds you well and I would like to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving.  Currently, there are 43 persons hospitalized at NCH (stable) with COVID and we have treated 1325 people in the hospital successfully since the beginning of the pandemic.  NCH has done 40,000 tests as well.


 

Vaccines: A vaccine is a biological preparation that provides active acquired immunity to a particular infectious disease. There are several different “biological preparations” being actively investigated to provide the active immune response to Coronavirus. Currently, there are 6 very promising vaccine candidates with 5 of them being in phase 3 trials and two being in late stage trials.  Recently, there has been some very encouraging news in that the two leading vaccine candidates are more than 90% effective in all age groups and ethnicities tested.  The vaccines are also very safe and the federal government already has purchased 100 million doses in anticipation of distribution by the military as a part of Operation Warp Speed.  It is anticipated that frontline healthcare workers and first responders may be able to get the vaccine as soon as the end of this year.  Following that, those of us over age 65 with comorbidities would be next in line.  It is also anticipated that the vaccine will be distributed to local hospitals, the health department and pharmacies.  NCH is currently well prepared with 2 large subzero freezers in anticipation of the vaccine.

In addition, the FDA has approved an antibody treatment for emergency use authorization as well as a home testing kit that can be purchased with a doctor’s prescription.  It is my hope that you have a peaceful and safe Thanksgiving.  Please remember to continue to take precautions throughout the holiday season and, attached is the information on the home testing kit:

https://www.winknews.com/2020/11/17/fda-allows-1st-rapid-virus-test-that-gives-results-at-home/

Below is a link for Collier County testing sites:

http://collier.floridahealth.gov/newsroom/2020/06/0601testinginformation.html

Below is the link to the updated NCH COVID information page:

https://nchmd.org/news-and-events/newsroom/coronavirus-covid19

Please continue good handwashing, mask wearing and maintaining 6 Ft of distance and, take care.

Paul Jones MD